FIR against 4Raj cops over ‘torture’ of SC boy in custody

Jaipur/Alwar: Police in Bhiwadi city of Khairthal-Tijara district have registered an FIR against four police personnel after the family of Lokesh, a 16-year-old Scheduled Caste boy, alleged that he was subjected to "third-degree torture" at a police station where he was taken on suspicion of being involved in the theft of a motorcycle.The incident dates back to April 21, but came into public attention only later after sustained pressure from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tikaram Jully and allegations from the Congress party that the state's BJP govt was shielding an "anti-Dalit" police system. While police have denied charges of custodial torture, they have booked four personnel, including UIT thana in-charge Dara Singh Meena of Bhiwadi, and constables Gopal, Govind and Pawan Yadav. The FIR registered in this connection includes sections related to assault and the SC/ST Act.It was filed past midnight Sunday after the boy's family and Congress workers staged a protest and sit-in at the Chaupanki police station. Family members of the boy alleged that police initially refused to register their complaint.In it, the family said that on April 21, around 3pm, constable Gopal and other policemen from Bhiwadi Phase-3 police station came to their house and forcibly took the minor, who they claimed was "completely healthy" at the time. The complaint says the boy's cousin later received a call from thana in-charge Meena, during which he heard the minor crying and seeking help, saying policemen were beating him severely.On Sunday evening, around 7pm, family members and Congress workers led by district president Balram Yadav reached Chaupanki police station and began a sit-in on the premises, raising slogans against the police administration. Around 9pm, former MLA Sandeep Yadav and Congress functionary Imran Khan joined the protest.Police eventually registered an FIR late at night.Bhiwadi superintendent of police Brajesh Upadhyay denied custodial torture and said the minor was brought to the police station on April 21 for questioning in a theft case based on inputs from CCTV footage. He later developed breathing difficulty due to a lung infection, the SP said, adding that he was taken to a local hospital and later shifted to NIMS Hospital in Jaipur on doctors' advice after his condition worsened.He also said the minor confessed during questioning to being involved in some incidents of theft.Upadhyay said the inquiry into the matter had been handed over to additional SP Atul Sahu. "Action will be initiated after we receive the inquiry report," Upadhyay added.On Monday, LoP Jully visited NIMS Hospital in Jaipur, where the minor is on a ventilator. Jully said he was "deeply distressed and outraged" over the incident, alleging the boy was beaten so severely that both his legs were fractured. He alleged police personnel submerged the boy in a drum of water. "Water entered his lungs, and he is currently fighting for his life in the ICU," he said."When the very guardians of the law begin to commit atrocities, from whom can justice be expected?" Jully asked, while questioning Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's accountability in the matter. He added that with BJP national president Nitin Nabin currently on a Rajasthan tour, he would continue to seek answers from the chief minister on "atrocities against Dalits" in the state.Former CM Ashok Gehlot also condemned the incident, calling it "extremely inhumane" and alleging it reflected an "anti-Dalit mentality" of the BJP government. He criticised the police for initially failing to register an FIR on the family's complaint, and said the FIR was registered only after Jully spoke with the DGP.Gehlot urged immediate intervention by the chief minister in the matter and strict action against those responsible "to set a precedent", insisting that Dalits and women in the state were being forced to struggle for justice.
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